Spinal cord injury Flashcards
definition: when all 4 limbs are paralyzed
tetraplegia
definition: when only the LEs are paralyzed
paraplegia
What is the common SCI patient?
Young males
What are the most common segments for spinal cord injury?
- C5
- C4
- C6
Most SCIs are (complete/incomplete) lacerations
incomplete
definition: post-injury state where the body is in shock and there is temporary loss in function
spinal shock
What can lead to injury and/or death of cells (excitotoxicity)?
glutamate –> Attaches to healthy neurons and enables calcium and sodium to go into the cell
What are common symptoms of spinal cord syndromes?
- urinary retention
- LE weakness
- sensory issues
- saddle anesthesia
What levels of the spinal cords are most common to have herniations?
L4/L5
definition: syndrome where 1/2 of a spinal cord segment is injured
brown-sequard syndrome
Pain and temperature are ______ with brown-sequard syndrome.
absent CONTRALATERALLY BELOW the lesion
What happens to pressure and vibration stimuli if the patient has brown-sequard syndrome?
The messages cannot go through the lesion ipsilaterally when going DOWN the spinal cord level affected.
CAN travel upwards at the levels above the affected segment
What happens to Motor messages if the patient has brown-sequard syndrome?
absent IPSILATERALLY @ the level of the lesion and the levels BELOW it.
definition: lesion of the anterior half of the spinal cord segment affected.
Anterior lesion
Pressure and vibration are ___ when there is an anterior lesion present.
Intact
What happens to pain and temperature stimuli if the patient has an anterior lesion?
Absent BILATERALLY
What happens to Motor messages if the patient has an anterior lesion?
Absent BILATERALLY at and BELOW the segment with the lesion
What can cause an anterior lesion?
Severe blood loss and anterior trauma
Pressure and vibration are ___ when there is central cord syndrome.
intact
What happens to pain and temperature stimuli if the patient has central cord syndrome?
NOT affected other than at the level of the segment injured
What happens to Motor messages if the patient has central cord syndrome?
NOT affected except at the segment of the lesion
What can cause central cord syndrome?
Violent movement in FLX and EXT
definition: cyst filled with fluid with causes being spontaneous or from trauma
syringomyelia
Syringomyelia is commonly found in (younger/older) individuals
younger
What are the s/s of syringomyelia?
- impaired pain and temperature
- UE weakness (that can include multiple segments)
- decreased DTRs
- LE spasticity
What diagnostic imaging is better when looking for involvement within the spinal canal?
CT
What tracts does the Standard Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury Assessment examine?
dorsal columns
spinothalamic
corticospinal
What are the effects of a SCI on the Musculoskeletal system?
- flaccidity
- spasticity
- heterotropic ossificans
- osteoporosis
- joint pain
- contractures
- fractures
What are the effects of a SCI on the ANS?
- impaired thermoregulation
- autonomic dysreflexia above T6
What are the effects of a SCI on the CV system?
- hypotension
- DVT risk
- Decreased CO
What are the effects of a SCI on the respiratory system?
- risk of pneumonia
What are the effects of a SCI on the bowel and bladder?
- neurogenic, flaccid, spastic
- UTI
- catheter use
What are the effects of a SCI on the integumentary system?
Pressure ulcers
SCIs can cause a higher risk of _____ diagnoses.
Type II DM
A hemorrhage detected from a ___ is worse.
MRI
